Camera non-touch switch

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide a camera that includes a non-touch switch that can be utilized to access and activate various camera functionality.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/873,069, filed on Apr. 29, 2013 which is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/828,139, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Physical buttons are not always an appealing feature to add to hardware,such as a camera. This is particularly true when the hardware or camerahas a small form factor. Additional physical buttons can create acrowding situation on the hardware or camera and can lead to anunaesthetic appearance. Further, crowded buttons increase the likelihoodthat a user will inadvertently press the wrong button.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter.

Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by auser. In one or more embodiments, the wearable camera can include anon-touch switch that can be utilized to access and activate variouscamera functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description references the accompanying figures. In thefigures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies thefigure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the samereference numbers in different instances in the description and thefigures may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is an example camera device in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example camera device in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example camera device in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that describes steps in a method in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that describes steps in a method in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that describes steps in a method in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by auser. In one or more embodiments, the wearable camera can include anon-touch switch that can be utilized to access and activate variouscamera functionality.

The camera can be worn in any suitable location. For example, the cameracan be worn on a user's head such as, a way of example and notlimitation, a hat-mounted camera, glasses-mounted camera,headband-mounted camera, helmet-mounted camera, and the like.Alternately or additionally, the camera can be worn on locations otherthan the user's head. For example, the camera can be configured to bemounted on the user's clothing.

Various other embodiments provide a wearable camera that is mountable ona user's clothing. The camera is designed to be unobtrusive anduser-friendly insofar as being mounted away from the user's face so asnot to interfere with their view. In at least some embodiments, thecamera includes a housing and a clip mounted to the housing to enablethe camera to be clipped onto the user's clothing. The camera isdesigned to be lightweight with its weight balanced in a manner that istoward the user when clipped to the user's clothing.

In one or more embodiments, the camera includes a replay mode. When thereplay mode is selected, the camera automatically captures image data,such as video or still images, and saves the image data to a memorybuffer. In at least some embodiments, the size of the memory buffer canbe set by the user to determine how much image data is to be collected.Once the memory buffer is full, the older image data is erased to makeroom for currently-captured image data. If an event occurs that the userwishes to memorialize through video or still images, a record button canbe activated which saves the image data from the beginning of the memorybuffer and continues recording until the user presses the record buttonagain. Alternately, in embodiments that include the non-touch switch,such switch can be used to cause the image data to be saved from thebeginning of the memory buffer and continue recording until thenon-touch switch is again engaged. In this manner, if an event occurs,the user is assured of capturing the event from a time t-x, where x isthe length of the memory buffer, in time.

In the discussion that follows, a section entitled “Example Environment”describes an example environment in which the various embodiments can beutilized. Next, a section entitled “Replay Functionality” describes anexample replay mode in accordance with one or more embodiments.Following this, a section entitled “Camera Non-touch Switch” describes acamera switch with non-touch activation features in accordance with oneor more embodiments. Next, a section entitled “Duel Encoding” describesan embodiment in which captured image data can be dual encoded inaccordance with one or more embodiments. Next, a section entitled “PhotoLog” describes an example photo log in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

Consider now an example environment in which various embodiments can bepracticed.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a camera device 100 in accordance withone or more embodiments. The camera device 100 includes a lens 102having a focal length that is suitable for covering a scene to bepictured. In one embodiment, a mechanical device may be included withthe lens 102 to enable auto or manual focusing of the lens. In anotherembodiment, the camera device 100 may be a fixed focus device in whichno mechanical assembly is included to move the lens 102. A sensor 104having a sensing surface (not shown) is also included to convert animage formed by the incoming light on the sensing surface of the sensor104 into a digital format. The sensor 104 may include a charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagesensor for scanning the incoming light and creating a digital picture.Other technologies or devices may be used so long as the used device iscapable of converting an image formed by the incoming light on a sensingsurface into the digital form. Typically, these image detection devicesdetermine the effects of light on tiny light sensitive devices andrecord the changes in a digital format.

The sensor 104 can serve as a non-touch switch to enable activation ofone or more camera device features or functionalities, as will becomeapparent below. Alternately or additionally, the camera device caninclude a separate non-touch switch 105 to enable activation of one ormore camera device features or functionalities as will become apparentbelow.

It should be appreciated that the camera device 100 may include othercomponents such as a battery or power source and other processorcomponents that are required for a processor to operate. However, toavoid obfuscating the teachings, these well-known components are beingomitted. In one embodiment, the camera device 100 does not include aview finder or a preview display. In other embodiments, however, apreview display may be provided. The techniques described herein can beused in any type of camera, and are particularly effective in small,highly portable cameras, such as those implemented in mobile telephonesand other portable user equipment. Thus, in one embodiment, the cameradevice 100 includes hardware or software for making and receiving phonecalls. Alternately, the camera device 100 can be a dedicated,stand-alone camera.

In at least some embodiments, the camera device 100 further includes amotion detector 108 that can include an accelerometer and, in someembodiments, a gyroscope. The accelerometer is used for determining thedirection of gravity and acceleration in any direction. The gyroscopemay also be used either in addition to the accelerometer or instead ofthe accelerometer. The gyroscope can provide information about how therotational angle of the camera device 100 changes over time. Any othertype of sensor may be used to detect the camera's motion. Using therotational angle, an angle of rotation of the camera device 100 may becalculated, if the camera device 100 is rotated.

Further included is an input/output (I/O) port 114 for connecting thecamera device 100 to an external device, including a general purposecomputer. The I/O port 114 may be used for enabling the external deviceto configure the camera device 100 or to upload/download data. In oneembodiment, the I/O port 114 may also be used for streaming video orpictures from the camera device 100 to the external device. In oneembodiment, the I/O port may also be used for powering the camera device100 or charging a rechargeable battery (not shown) in the camera device100.

The camera device 100 may also include an antenna 118 that is coupled toa transmitter/receiver (Tx/Rx) module 116. The Tx/Rx module 116 iscoupled to a processor 106. The antenna 118 may be fully or partlyexposed outside the body of the camera device 100. However, in anotherembodiment, the antenna 118 may be fully encapsulated within the body ofthe camera device 100. The Tx/Rx module 116 may be configured for Wi-Fitransmission/reception, Bluetooth transmission/reception or both. Inanother embodiment, the Tx/Rx module 116 may be configured to use aproprietary protocol for transmission/reception of the radio signals. Inyet another embodiment, any radio transmission or data transmissionstandard may be used so long as the used standard is capable oftransmitting/receiving digital data and control signals. In oneembodiment, the Tx/Rx module 116 is a low power module with atransmission range of less than ten feet. In another embodiment, theTx/Rx module 116 is a low power module with a transmission range of lessthan five feet. In other embodiments, the transmission range may beconfigurable using control signals received by the camera device 100either via the I/O port 114 or via the antenna 118.

The camera device 100 further includes a processor 106. The processor106 is coupled to, among other components, the sensor 104, the non-touchswitch 105, and the motion detector 108. The processor 106 may also becoupled to storage 110, which, in one embodiment, is external to theprocessor 106. The storage 110 may be used for storing programminginstructions for controlling and operating other components of thecamera device 100. The storage 110 may also be used for storing capturedmedia (e.g., pictures and/or videos). In another embodiment, the storage110 may be a part of the processor 106 itself.

In one embodiment, the processor 106 may include an image processor 112.The image processor 112 may be a hardware component or may also be asoftware module that is executed by the processor 106. It may be notedthat the processor 106 and/or the image processor 112 may reside indifferent chips. For example, multiple chips may be used to implementthe processor 106. In one example, the image processor 112 may be aDigital Signal Processor (DSP). The image processor can be configured asa processing module, that is a computer program executable by aprocessor. In at least some embodiments, the processor 112 is used toprocess a raw image received from the sensor 104 based, at least inpart, on the input received from the motion detector 108. Othercomponents such as Image Signal Processor (ISP) may be used for imageprocessing.

In one embodiment, the storage 110 is configured to store both raw(unmodified image) and the corresponding modified image. In one or moreembodiments, the storage 110 can include a memory buffer, such as aflash memory buffer, that can be used as a circular buffer to facilitatecapturing image data when the camera is set to a replay mode that issupported by replay module 120. The replay module 120 can be implementedin connection with any suitable hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof. When the replay mode is selected, the cameraautomatically captures image data, such as video or still images, andsaves the image data to the memory buffer. In at least some embodiments,the size of the memory buffer can be set by the user to determine howmuch image data is to be collected. If an event occurs that the userwishes to memorialize through video or still images, in someembodiments, a record button can be activated which saves the image datafrom the beginning of the memory buffer and continues recording untilthe user presses the record button again. Alternately, in at least someembodiments, input by way of the non-touch switch, as implemented byeither the sensor 104 or the non-touch switch 105, can be used to savethe image data from the beginning of the memory buffer and continuerecording until an additional input is received by way of the non-touchswitch. In this manner, if an event occurs, the user is assured ofcapturing the event from a time t-x, where x is the length of the memorybuffer, in time.

A processor buffer (not shown) may also be used to store the image data.The pictures can be downloaded to the external device via the I/O port114 or via the wireless channels using the antenna 118. In oneembodiment, both unmodified and modified images are downloaded to theexternal device when the external device sends a command to downloadimages from the camera device 110. In one embodiment, the camera device100 may be configured to start capturing a series of images at aselected interval.

In one embodiment, a raw image from the sensor 104 is inputted to animage processor (such as an ISP) for image processing or blur detection.After image processing is applied to the image outputted by the imageprocessor, the modified image is encoded. The image encoding istypically performed to compress the image data.

In an example embodiment, the camera device 100 may not include thecomponents for processing the image captured by the sensor 104. Instead,the camera device 100 may include programming instructions to transmitthe raw image after extracting the image from the sensor 104 to a cloudbased processing system that is connected to the camera device 100 viathe Internet or a local area network. The cloud based system isconfigured to receive the raw image and process the image or images asdescribed above and below. The encoded image is then either stored in aselected cloud based storage or the image is sent back to the cameradevice 100 or to any other device according to a user configuration. Theuse of a cloud based image processing system can reduce a need forincorporating several image processing components in each camera device,thus making a camera device lighter, more energy efficient and cheaper.

In another example embodiment, instead of a cloud based imageprocessing, the camera device 100 may send either a raw image or theimage processed through an image processor to another device, e.g., amobile phone or a computer. The image may be transmitted to the mobilephone (or a computer) for further processing via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or anyother type of networking protocol that is suitable for transmittingdigital data from one device to another device. After the mobile devicereceives the image or images, according to one or more embodimentsdescribed herein, the produced image may be saved to local storage onthe device, transferred for storage in a cloud based storage system, ortransmitted to another device, according to user or systemconfigurations.

In one embodiment, the native image processing system in the cameradevice 100 may produce images and/or videos in a non-standard format.For example, a 1200×1500 pixel image may be produced. This may be doneby cropping, scaling, or using an image sensor with a non-standardresolution. Since methods for transforming images in a selected standardresolution are well-known, there will be no further discussion on thistopic.

Various embodiments described above and below can be implementedutilizing a computer-readable storage medium that includes instructionsthat enable a processing unit to implement one or more aspects of thedisclosed methods as well as a system configured to implement one ormore aspects of the disclosed methods. By “computer-readable storagemedium” is meant all statutory forms of media. Accordingly,non-statutory forms of media such as carrier waves and signals per seare not intended to be covered by the term “computer-readable storagemedium”.

As noted above, camera device 100 can assume any suitable form ofwearable camera. The camera can be worn in any suitable locationrelative to a user. For example, the camera can be worn on a user's headsuch as, by a way of example and not limitation, a hat-mounted camera,glasses-mounted camera, headband-mounted camera, helmet-mounted camera,and the like. Alternately or additionally, the camera can be worn onlocations other than the user's head. For example, the camera can beconfigured to be mounted on the user's clothing or other items carriedby a user, such as a backpack, purse, briefcase, and the like.

In the example provided just below, a wearable camera is described inthe context of a camera that is mountable on the user's clothing. It isto be appreciated and understood, however, that other types ofnon-clothing mountable, wearable cameras can be utilized withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

Moving on to FIGS. 2 and 3, consider the following. FIG. 2 illustratesan example camera device 200 in a front elevational view, while FIG. 3illustrates the camera device 200 in a side elevational view. The cameradevice 200 includes a housing 202 that contains the components describedin FIG. 1. Also illustrated is a camera lens 204 (FIG. 2) and afastening device 300 (FIG. 3) in the form of a clip that operates in amanner that is similar to a clothespin. Specifically, the fasteningdevice 300 includes a prong 302 with a body having a thumb-engageableportion 304. The body extends along an axis away from thethumb-engageable portion 304 toward a distal terminus 306. A springmechanism, formed by the body or separate from and internal relative tothe body, enables prong 302 to be opened responsive to pressure beingapplied to the thumb-engageable portion 304. When opened, a piece ofclothing can be inserted into area 308. When the thumb-engageableportion 304 is released, the clothing is clamped in place by the prong302 thereby securely mounting the camera device on a piece of clothing.For example, the camera device can be mounted, as described above, on anecktie, blouse, shirt, pocket, and the like.

In addition, camera device 200 can include a number of input buttonsshown generally at 310. The input buttons can include, by way of exampleand not limitation, an input button to take a still picture, an inputbutton to initiate the replay mode, an input button to initiate a videocapture mode, and an input button to enable the user to adjust thebuffer size that is utilized during the replay mode. In someembodiments, the input button to initiate the replay mode can beeliminated through the use of the non-touch switch as described below inmore detail. It is to be appreciated and understood that the variousinput buttons can be located anywhere on the camera device 200.

It may be noted that even though the camera device 200 is shown to havea particular shape, the camera device 100 can be manufactured in anyshape shape and size suitable and sufficient to accommodate the abovedescribed components of the camera device 100. The housing 202 of thecamera device may be made of a metal molding, a synthetic materialmolding or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, any suitabletype of material may be used to provide a durable and strong outer shellfor typical portable device use.

In addition, the fastening device 300 can comprise any suitable type offastening device. For example, the fastening device may be a simpleslip-on clip, a crocodile clip, a hook, a Velcro or a magnet or a pieceof metal to receive a magnet. The camera device 200 may be affixedpermanently or semi-permanently to another object using the fasteningdevice 300.

Generally, any of the functions described herein can be implementedusing software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), or acombination of these implementations. The terms “module,”“functionality,” “component” and “logic” as used herein generallyrepresent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In thecase of a software implementation, the module, functionality, or logicrepresents program code that performs specified tasks when executed on aprocessor (e.g., CPU or CPUs). The program code can be stored in one ormore computer readable memory devices. The features of the techniquesdescribed below are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors.

For example, the camera device 200 may include a computer-readablemedium that may be configured to maintain instructions that cause thecamera's software and associated hardware to perform operations. Thus,the instructions function to configure the camera's software andassociated hardware to perform the operations and in this way result intransformation of the software and associated hardware to performfunctions. The instructions may be provided by the computer-readablemedium to the camera device through a variety of differentconfigurations.

One such configuration of a computer-readable medium is signal bearingmedium and thus is configured to transmit the instructions (e.g., as acarrier wave) to the camera device, such as via a network. Thecomputer-readable medium may also be configured as a computer-readablestorage medium and thus is not a signal bearing medium. Examples of acomputer-readable storage medium include a random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), an optical disc, flash memory, hard disk memory,and other memory devices that may use magnetic, optical, and othertechniques to store instructions and other data.

Having considered an example operating environment in accordance withone or more embodiments, consider now a discussion of replayfunctionality and other features that can be provided by the cameradevice.

Replay Functionality

As noted above, camera device 200 includes a replay mode. When thereplay mode is selected, as by the user pressing an input buttonassociated with initiating the replay mode or through the use of thenon-touch switch, the camera automatically captures image data, such asvideo or still images, and saves the image data to a memory buffer. Inone or more embodiments, the memory buffer is a circular buffer thatsaves an amount of image data, for example video data. When the memorybuffer is full of image data, it deletes the oldest image data to makeroom for newly recorded image data. This continues until either the userexits the replay mode or presses a button associated with initiatingvideo capture, i.e. the “record” button or, in embodiments that includethe non-touch switch, uses the non-touch switch to initiate videocapture.

In at least some embodiments, the size of the memory buffer can be setby the user to determine how much image data is to be collected. As anexample, the user might set the length of the memory buffer tocorrespond to 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, and longer.

Assume now that an event occurs that the user wishes to memorializethrough video or still images. Assume also that the user has initiatedthe replay mode so that video data is currently being buffered in thememory buffer. By pressing the “record” button, the video data is nowsaved from the beginning of the memory buffer and recording continuesuntil the user presses the record button again. In embodiments where thenon-touch switch can be used in place of the “record” button, byactivating the non-touch switch, the video data can now be saved fromthe beginning of the memory buffer and recording can continue until theuser again activates the non-touch switch.

In this manner, if an event occurs, the user is assured of capturing theevent from a time t-x, where x is the length of the memory buffer, intime. So, for example, if the user initially set the memory buffer tocapture 2 minutes worth of video data, by pressing the “record” buttonor alternatively using the non-touch switch, the last 2 minutes of videodata will be recorded in addition to the currently recorded video data.

In one or more embodiments, the memory buffer comprises flash memory.When the user presses the “record” button or uses the non-touch switch,and the camera device is in replay mode, a pointer is used to designatewhere, in flash memory, the beginning of the captured video data occurs,e.g., the beginning of the last 2 minutes of video data prior toentering the “record” mode. In other embodiments, the video datacaptured during replay mode and “record” mode can be written to analternate storage location.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that describes steps in a method in accordancewith one or more embodiments. The method can be performed in connectionwith any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.In at least some embodiments, the method is performed by asuitably-configured camera device such as the one described above.

Step 400 receives input associated with a replay mode. This step can beperformed in any suitable way. For example, in at least someembodiments, this step can be performed by receiving input from the uservia a suitable input device on the camera device. Responsive toreceiving the input associated with the replay mode, step 402 capturesimage data and saves the image data to a memory buffer. Step 404ascertains whether the buffer is full. If the buffer is not full, themethod returns to step 402 and continues to capture image data and saveimage data to the memory buffer. If, on the other hand, the buffer isfull, step 406 deletes the oldest image data in the memory buffer andreturns to step 402 to capture subsequent image data.

This process continues until either the user presses the “record”button, or in alternate embodiments the non-touch switch, or exits thereplay mode.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that describes steps in another method inaccordance with one or more embodiments. The method, which allows a userto set the camera device's memory buffer size, can be performed inconnection with any suitable hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof. In at least some embodiments, the method isperformed by a suitably-configured camera device such as the onedescribed above.

Step 500 receives input to set a memory buffer size. This step can beperformed in any suitable way. For example, in at least someembodiments, the step can be performed by receiving user input by way ofa suitably-configured input mechanism such as a button on the cameradevice. Responsive to receiving this input, step 502 sets the memorybuffer size.

Step 504 receives input associated with a replay mode. This step can beperformed in any suitable way. For example, in at least someembodiments, this step can be performed by receiving input from the uservia a suitable input device on the camera device. Responsive toreceiving the input associated with the replay mode, step 506 capturesimage data and saves the image data to a memory buffer. Step 508ascertains whether the buffer is full. If the buffer is not full, themethod returns to step 506 and continues to capture image data and saveimage data to the memory buffer. If, on the other hand, the buffer isfull, step 510 deletes the oldest image data in the memory buffer andreturns to step 506 to capture subsequent image data.

This process continues until either the user presses the “record”button, or in alternate embodiments uses the non-touch switch, or exitsthe replay mode.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram that describes steps in another method inaccordance with one or more embodiments. The method can be performed inconnection with any suitable hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof. In at least some embodiments, the method isperformed by a suitably-configured camera device such as the onedescribed above.

Step 600 captures image data and saves the image data to a memorybuffer. The step can be performed in any suitable way. For example, thestep can be performed as described in connection with FIG. 4 or 5. Step602 receives input to enter the camera device's record mode. This stepcan be performed, for example, by receiving user input by way of a“record” button. In alternate embodiments, a non-touch switch can beused in place of the “record” button when in the replay mode. Thenon-touch switch can be used to receive input to enter the cameradevice's record mode. Various examples of non-touch switches aredescribed below in the section entitled “Non-Touch Switches.” Responsiveto receiving the input to enter record mode, step 604 saves image datafrom the beginning of the memory buffer. This step can be performed inany suitable way. For example, the step can be performed by setting apointer to point to the beginning of the memory buffer. Step 606 savescurrently captured image data in addition to the image data from thebeginning of the memory buffer. This step can be performed until theuser presses the “record” button once more. Alternately, in embodimentsthat include a non-touch switch, the step can be performed by receivinginput by way of the non-touch switch.

Having considered an example replay mode and how it can be implementedwith a suitably hiding configured camera device, consider now aspects ofa camera non-touch switch.

Camera Non-Touch Switch

In one or more embodiments, the camera device can include a non-touchswitch that can be utilized to access and activate various camerafunctionality. In the example described just above, the non-touch switchcan be utilized to access the replay mode. Alternately or additionally,the non-touch switch can be utilized to access and activate othervarious camera functionality. Utilization of a non-touch switch canenable the number of hardware buttons on the camera device to bereduced. This, in turn, can lead to a more simplified construction thatreduces material used to construct the camera device such as inputbutton gaskets, assembly layers utilized in connection with inputbuttons, and the like.

Before considering various types of non-touch switches that can beemployed in connection with the above-described camera device, considera use scenario which illustrates the utility of such a switch. Assumethat a user has turned their camera device on so that it is capturingimage data in the replay mode and has attached their camera tothemselves in some manner. For example, the user may have clipped thecamera on their shirt or mounted it on a hat or helmet. Now, as a userprogresses throughout the day, assume that an interesting event occursthat they wish to capture. Because the user is moving around and/oraccess to the camera device's hardware buttons may be challengingbecause of the user's movement, they can activate the replay mode usingthe non-touch switch. Specifically, by interacting with the cameradevice's non-touch switch, the user can cause the camera device to enterthe replay mode and capture the video data that has been buffered in thememory buffer, as well as the currently-captured video data as describedabove.

In some instances, the non-touch switch allows for less precision inorder to activate the camera device's functionality which, in theexample above, is the replay mode functionality. So, active users whoare on the go need not worry about fumbling around to find a particularhardware button. Rather, through the non-touch switch as described aboveand below, the user can access camera functionality in a manner that isless precise than that utilized by a hardware button.

As noted above, the non-touch switch can comprise anysuitably-configured switch that can be utilized to access and activatevarious camera functionality without necessarily relying on physicaltouch. That is to say, while some touch can occur when utilizing thenon-touch switch, the non-touch switch does not rely on touch in orderto be activated.

In at least some embodiments, the non-touch switch can be implemented bythe camera device's sensor, such as sensor 104, which receives lightthat enters the camera. Specifically, in these embodiments, thenon-touch switch can be activated by a user briefly covering the cameralens 102 to block light from entering the camera and being sensed bysensor 104. When this occurs, the camera device's processor recognizesthe sudden change from light to dark as a trigger to access and activatean associated camera device functionality.

In at least other embodiments, the non-touch switch can be implementedby a separate light aperture through which light enters the camera. Bybriefly covering the light aperture, the non-touch switch, such asnon-touch switch 105 (FIG. 1) can be activated and the camera device'sfunctionality can be accessed.

In yet other embodiments, various types of proximity sensors can beutilized to implement a non-touch switch, such as non-touch switch 105.Such proximity sensors can utilize any suitable type of technologyincluding, by way of example and not limitation, electromagnetic fieldemission, electromagnetic radiation such as infrared light, capacitivesensors, inductive sensors, and the like.

Having considered an example camera non-touch switch and how it can beimplemented with a suitably hiding configured camera device, considernow aspects of a dual encoding process.

Dual Encoding

In one or more embodiments, the camera device's processor 106 (FIG. 1)is configured to encode image data at different levels of resolution.For example, the camera device can encode image data at a low level ofresolution and at a high level of resolution as well. Any suitablelevels of resolution can be utilized. In at least some embodiments, thelow level of resolution is Quarter-VGA (e.g., 320×240) and the highlevel of resolution is 720p (e.g., 1280×720).

Encoding image data at different resolutions levels can enhance theuser's experience insofar as giving the user various options to transferthe saved image data. For example, at lower resolution levels, thecaptured image data can be streamed to a device such as a smart phone.Alternately or additionally, at higher resolution levels, when the userhas Wi-Fi accessibility, they can transfer the image data to a networkdevice such as a laptop or desktop computer.

Having considered a dual encoding scenario, consider now aspects of aphoto log that can be constructed using the principles described above.

Photo Log

Photo log refers to a feature that enables a user to log their day instill photos at intervals of their own choosing. So, for example, if theuser wishes to photo log their day at every 3 minutes, they can provideinput to the camera device so that every 3 minutes the cameraautomatically takes a still photo and saves it. At the end of the day,the user will have documented their day with a number of different stillphotos.

In at least some embodiments, the photo log feature can work in concertwith the replay mode described above. For example, if the user hasentered the replay mode by causing image data to be captured and savedto the memory buffer, the camera device's processor can process portionsof the captured video data at defined intervals to provide the stillphotos. This can be performed in any suitable way. For example, thecamera device's processor can process the video data on the camera'sphotosensor and read predefined areas of the photosensor to process theread areas into the still photos. In some instances the photo format isa square format so that the aspect ratio is different from that aspectratio of the video data.

Conclusion

Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by auser. In one or more embodiments, the wearable camera can include anon-touch switch that can be utilized to access and activate variouscamera functionality.

Although the embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the various embodiments defined in the appended claims are notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the various embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:receiving input to a non-touch switch of a wearable camera device, thenon-touch switch comprising a light sensor that receives light thatenters the wearable camera device; responsive to receiving the input tothe non-touch switch via the light sensor, accessing camerafunctionality associated with the non-touch switch; and activating thecamera functionality responsive to receiving the input to the non-touchswitch via the light sensor.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the input comprises user input that covers the non-touchswitch.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thecamera functionality comprises image capture.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the camera functionalitydoes not comprise image capture.
 5. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the camera functionality comprises video capture. 6.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the camerafunctionality can be activated by briefly covering the light sensor. 7.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the light sensorcomprises a camera lens of the wearable camera device.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the light sensorcomprises a separate light aperture other than the camera lens of thewearable camera device.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the camera functionality comprises a replay mode in which thewearable camera device automatically captures image data and saves theimage data to a memory buffer of the wearable camera device, and whenthe memory buffer is full, erases older image data to make room forcurrently-captured image data.
 10. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the activating the camera device functionalitycomprises causing image data from a beginning of the memory buffer to besaved, and currently-captured image data to be saved.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the wearable cameradevice is configured to be worn on a location other than a user'sclothing.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein thewearable camera device is configured to be worn on a user's clothing.13. A camera device comprising: a camera lens configured to enablecapture of image data; a non-touch switch configured to receive input toaccess and activate a camera functionality, the non-touch switchcomprising a light sensor that receives light that enters the cameradevice; and a processor configured to: receive an input from thenon-touch switch via the light sensor; access the camera functionalityassociated with the non-touch switch in response to the input from thenon-touch switch via the light sensor; and activate the camerafunctionality in response to the input from the non-touch switch via thelight sensor.
 14. The camera device of claim 13, wherein the camerafunctionality can be activated by briefly covering the light sensor. 15.The camera device of claim 13, wherein the light sensor comprises thecamera lens of the camera device.
 16. The camera device of claim 13,wherein the light sensor comprises a separate light aperture other thanthe camera lens of the camera device.
 17. The camera device of claim 13,wherein the camera functionality comprises image capture.
 18. The cameradevice of claim 13, wherein the camera functionality does not compriseimage capture.
 19. The camera device of claim 13, wherein the camerafunctionality comprises video capture.
 20. The camera device of claim13, wherein the camera functionality comprises a replay mode in whichthe camera lens automatically captures image data and saves the imagedata to a memory buffer of the camera device, and when the memory bufferis full, erases older image data to make room for currently-capturedimage data.